Heart of a Marine Foundation paints home for veterans

Chrissy Andersen of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Army Sgt. 1st Class Gary Stafford join in the painting party at Eddie Beard Transitional Home for Veterans.Courtesy of The Heart Of A Marine Foundation

Veterans enjoy a night at the Chicago Bulls game!Courtesy of The Heart Of A Marine Foundation

Roy Frank accepts a check from Deborah Joyce of the Illinois Harley-Davidson dealership in Countryside.Courtesy of The Heart Of A Marine Foundation

Roy and Georgette Frank accept a check from the Glenview Blaze Baseball Association.Courtesy of The Heart Of A Marine Foundation

Roy and Georgette Frank present a check to Medal of Honor Recipient Al Lynch. Al and Susan Lynch administer the Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Foundation.Courtesy of The Heart Of A Marine Foundation

Submitted by Heart Of A Marine Foundation

The Heart Of A Marine Foundation, serving all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and headquartered in Elk Grove Village, is helping our active duty military and veterans, all while having fun along the way.

The Heart Of A Marine Foundation held a painting party at the Eddie Beard Transitional Home for Veterans in Chicago.

"We made significant donations to the Eddie Beard home this year," said Barbara Matsukes, director of marketing and public relations for the foundation. "And when we took a step back, we realized the place itself could use a face-lift."

The foundation gathered veterans to assist, and together they painted the three story residence.

"What a difference! It's like new," said Jackie Edens, executive director of the facility. "And when you take pride in your living space, it changes your attitude toward many things. We are so grateful to The Heart of a Marine Foundation for this effort."

For a little "R & R," The Heart of a Marine Foundation was happy to send 50 veterans for a night out to a Chicago Bulls game.

"We are so pleased to take veterans, and active duty military, to a ballgame to relax and have some fun," Matsukes said.

Many of the veteran attendees were from DeVry University's military club.

"This is a great time for camaraderie. DeVry student veterans are from all branches of our military, and our schedules are busy," said Scott Stratton, senior military adviser at DeVry. "Thanks to The Heart Of A Marine Foundation, we are able to spend this time together." A great time was had by all.

The Heart Of A Marine Foundation heard of a need at the Military Advanced Training Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. MATC was in need of items to be used by veterans with artificial hands for use in therapy. Gaining dexterity is a goal for these veterans, and the Foundation was proud to provide them with some of the tools they needed to accomplish this mission.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Al Lynch (Sergeant, U.S.A.) is a wonderful friend of The Foundation, and the president of his own foundation, The Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Foundation. Allen's foundation provides stopgap funding to veterans in need. The Heart Of A Marine Foundation is honored to support his cause with a donation.

"This donation will definitely be put to good use," Lynch stated. "We are forever grateful to Roy, Georgette, and The Heart Of A Marine Foundation family for this generous gift."

Spring and summer of 2014 were seasons of giving and receiving. These supporters and donors have improved the lives of many or our military. Our thanks to Bob Rohrman Ford, Schaumburg; Illinois Harley-Davidson, Countryside; Blaze Baseball, Glenview; Hinsdale High School boys tennis team, Hinsdale; Elk Grove Village, Elk Grove High School, Elk Grove Rotary for the Rock n' Run; Ram Restaurant, Schaumburg; and the Marine Corps Leathernecks. It is through their generosity that contributions to our military are possible.

The Heart Of A Marine Foundation is a registered 501c3 organization dedicated to serving all branches of the United States Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. The foundation was established in memory, honor, and spirit of Marine Lance Corporal Phillip Frank, KIA, April 2004. For information regarding The Heart Of A Marine Foundation, or to see how you can help, visit www.heartofamarine.org or call (847) 621-7324.

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